ORMOC CITY– A buy-bust operation jointly conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the police of Inopacan, Leyte resulted in the arrest of a man in possession of suspected shabu valued at P151,000.
The operation conducted last March 20 in Barangay Osmeña, Inopacan at about 5:10 pm resulted in the arrest of Wenbert Maquited, alias “Bert,” 30, who hails from Navotas, Malabon, and is currently residing temporarily in the said village.
Upon apprehension, one sachet containing the white crystalline substance, suspected to be shabu, was recovered from Maquited, procured by an undercover agent for P500.
Subsequently, during a body search conducted in the presence of an elected barangay official and a representative from the local media, five additional sachets containing the same substance, totaling approximately 23 grams, were seized.
Maquited was duly informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a language understood by him.
Charges for violations of Sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) have been filed by PDEA at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Hilongos, Leyte, against the arrested suspect, who is currently detained at the Bato Municipal Police Station. (ROBERT DEJON)
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. (OVP)
Brinkmanship
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. (OVP)
Certainly it is not about being a breath away from the presidency. Rather it is about being caught in the crosshairs between her own father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Vice-President Sara addressed this predicament in a statement issued last March 19 where she declared that politics is a matter she did not discuss with her father and the President.
“On separate occasions, the President and the former President similarly expressed concerns over my well-being. I assured them that I would take care of myself as I carry out my duties and responsibilities as Vice President and the Secretary of the Department of Education,” the Vice-President stated.
What she said opened the door into the dilemma she was forced into, but one she is determined to deal with on her own terms. Consciously or unconsciously, the Vice-President shows the stuff she is made of when she’s torn between a rock and a hard place.
The Oxford dictionary defines brinkmanship as the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics. Going by this definition, this is brinkmanship on display, the Vice-President’s.
In recent months, temperatures have risen between the former and sitting presidents. It was bound to happen, what with all the provocations and harassments coming from the Marcos camp, specifically from First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. The Duterte family simply had enough, and no one can blame them.
Caught in the middle is Vice-President Duterte. Instead of crumbling under pressure, however, she has shown grace that has baffled even her own solid political base.
True to her oath to the Filipino people, the three-term Davao City mayor has delivered beyond the call of duty both as Vice-President and Secretary of the Department of Education. Indefatigable and fearless, she has gone to even the remotest places in the country to be with the people who are often forgotten and neglected after the votes are counted. She has spoken out on the burning issues of the day, and taking unequivocal positions on controversial matters that most politicians won’t touch with a 10-foot pole.
She opposed the move to open the peace talks with communist rebels, spoke out against the so-called people’s initiative to amend the Constitution, warned against dragging the country into war and criticized abuses in government spending. In the same breath, she expressed concern about the worsening economy and the deteriorating peace and order which resonate with most Filipinos who saw a glimpse of hope during her father’s term.
Little wonder that despite the vicious demolition job hatched against her, the Vice-President remains the most popular and trusted official in the Marcos administration. Filipinos can tell the difference between PR work and old-school public service which explains why even the sink thrown at her doesn’t stick.
It wasn’t easy getting to this point, but it is nothing compared to what lies ahead. But if there is anyone who can navigate the slippery slope, it’s Vice-President Sara. Displaying the kind of brinkmanship that has kept her afloat in the murky waters of betrayal, corruption and incompetence, she is showing the nation that she has what it takes to be the one.
“The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art. If you cannot master it, you inevitably get into war. If you try to run away from it, if you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost,” John Foster Dulles, US Secretary of State under President Dwight David Eisenhower once said to describe brinkmanship.
Vice-President Sara finds herself on the verge of a war not of her own making, but she has stayed away from it. And yet, she makes it clear that she isn’t running away from it, or scared of it.
Even when the outcome was beyond doubt, the former President refused to endorse the present. Among other things, the former said the latter was “weak”. Close to two years after the elections, more and more people admit that he is right.
Still smarting from that blunder and paying dearly for it, one trait they will definitely look for in the next leader would be decisiveness. With the country in dire straits and its northern frontier fearing the worst, perhaps the better word would be brinkmanship.
PSA QUIZ BEE. Students from Burauen schools joined a quiz bee competition sponsored by the Philippine Statistics Authority together with the local government of Burauen. (PSA-8)
PSA QUIZ BEE. Students from Burauen schools joined a quiz bee competition sponsored by the Philippine Statistics Authority together with the local government of Burauen. (PSA-8)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Decade (CRVS) Symposium and Quiz was successfully held at the Municipal Community Center in Burauen, Leyte on March 18, 2024 through the collaborative effort of the municipal government and its local civil registry office, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional and its Leyte offices.
Municipal Mayor Juanito E. Renomeron warmly welcomed all the participants and thanked PSA for the comprehensive and inclusive event that bolstered the knowledge of the young participants.
The CRVS modules were presented by PSA Regional Director Wilma Perante covering the concepts and procedures on civil registration, and laws related to civil registration.
Burauen civil registrar Dover Conde discussed court decrees, and legal instruments, among others.
Meantime, the quiz bee was administered among participating high school students in Burauen and they were accompanied by their respective coaches.
The winners of the quiz bee went to the Burauen National High School as the grand champion; Burauen Comprehensive National High School, second place; and Hibunauan National High School.
All winners and their coaches received cash prizes and certificates of recognition. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has reported five suspected cases of pertussis, the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Speaking through its information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, the health office stated that these suspected cases are distributed across Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte provinces.
Both the provinces of Southern Leyte and Leyte have two each of suspected cases while one in Eastern Samar.
Samples from these cases will be sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for confirmatory testing.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough or the 100-day cough, is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be prevented through vaccination.
Initial symptoms resemble those of the common cold, including a runny nose, fever, and mild cough. However, these symptoms are followed by severe coughing fits lasting two to three months. During these fits, individuals may emit a high-pitched whooping sound or gasp as they struggle to breathe.
The coughing can be so intense that it leads to vomiting, rib fractures, and fatigue. Infants under one year old may not exhibit a typical cough but may experience periods of breathlessness.
The disease’s incubation period is typically seven to ten days, and although vaccination can reduce symptoms, cases can still occur, albeit with milder symptoms. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY-A man, classified as a high-value target on the drug list of the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency(PDEA) was arrested on March 20 in Isabel, Leyte in a buy-bust operation.
The suspect was identified as Rosalito Cabalud, 40, who was arrested in a sting operation in their village of Bilwag at about 6:15 pm.
Recovered from his possession was a sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an agent in the amount of P500.
During the conduct of a body search in the presence of a barangay official and a representative from the local media, the searching agent recovered seven more sachets containing the same white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu estimated to weigh .016 grams with an estimated street value of P4,000.
No statement was issued by the suspect to the media covering the operation.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights through a language that he understood.
Charges of violations of sections 5 (selling illegal drugs and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) were filed by PDEA at the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Ormoc City against the arrested suspect who is temporarily detained at the locked-up cell of Isabel municipal police station.(ROBERT DEJON)
Contrary to the campaign promise of then-presidential candidate, Ferdinand “Bongbogn” Marcos Jr. that he would bring down the price of rice, the same has instead sky-rocketed in recent days, impacting the lives of Filipinos especially those who belong to the have-nots who, unfortunately, comprise the bigger portion of society.
With rice as the staple food in the Philippines, it is no surprise that the average Filipino who consumes several kilograms of rice per year would suffer adverse effects with the recent increases in rice prices. It is an important diet for the Filipino population, thus, there must be major effects on the various sectors particularly the poor.
One such effect is the impact on household budgets. As rice comprises a significant portion of the average Filipino’s diet, any price increase can directly affect households’ purchasing power. This can lead to a decrease in overall food consumption, as families may be forced to cut back on other essentials to afford rice. This, in turn, can negatively affect nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
The increase in rice prices can also have ripple effects on the economy as a whole. With a large portion of the population dependent on rice as a staple food, any significant increase in its price can lead to inflationary pressures. This can result in higher prices for other goods and services, leading to decreased consumer spending and economic growth.
Additionally, higher rice prices can also impact the livelihoods of farmers, as they may face increased input costs without corresponding increases in their income.
Policymakers must address these issues through targeted interventions, such as subsidies for rice farmers or price stabilization mechanisms. The government can help mitigate the negative impacts of rice price increases and promote the well-being of its citizens by ensuring that rice remains affordable for all segments of society.
